Hamukoto Pohamba, who was in April this year arrested for allegedly assaulting his wife, left the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court a free man following the withdrawal of the charges against him yesterday. 

His wife – Albertina Pohamba – withdrew the charges after she testified before Windhoek Magistrate, Celma Amadhila yesterday  morning.

Albertina informed the court that she is no longer willing to continue with the case because the couple is now undergoing marriage counselling in order to amicably resolve the problems that forced her to lay the charges against her husband in April.

Magistrate Amadhila then issued an order directing the withdrawal of the charges against Hamukoto as per the request by his wife.
Public Prosecutor Sylvia Kauluma did not object to the withdrawal of the charges after Albertina gave the reasons in her testimony before court.

On 17 April 2020, Pohamba (41) was granted bail of N$2 000.
Bail was granted with strict conditions that required the accused to not come within 50 metres of the complainant or her residence in Dorado Valley.

Other bail conditions included that the accused should not leave the district of Windhoek without making prior arrangements with the investigating police officer, or interfere either directly or indirectly with the ongoing investigations of his case.

Pohamba faced charges of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm after he allegedly assaulted his wife on 2 April 2020 near Maerua Mall along Robert Mugabe Avenue.

It is alleged that Pohamba during the incident strangled his wife, as well as injured her back and chest.

Pohamba’s bail of N$2 000 was refunded following the withdrawal of the charges against him on Tuesday.

Windhoek-based defence lawyer Milton Engelbrecht defended Pohamba.

-Nampa